By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-12-25 16:42:45
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年12月25日，纽约市——在麦迪逊广场花园举行的比赛第一节，纽约尼克斯队的卡尔-安东尼·唐斯(Karl-Anthony Towns)32号和圣安东尼奥马刺队的维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)1号争抢篮板球。
纽约——特雷·琼斯(Tre Jones)知道维克托·文班亚马会打出一场精彩的比赛。
“我们能从他的眼神和举止中看到熊熊燃烧的斗志，”琼斯说道。
在圣诞大战的震撼首秀中，文班亚马出战40分钟，砍下42分、18个篮板、4次助攻和4次盖帽。
但这仍然不足以帮助球队取胜。米卡尔·布里奇斯(Mikal Bridges)轰下赛季最高的41分，带领纽约尼克斯队在周三以117-114战胜马刺队。这场比赛双方交替领先20次，战成平手12次。
文班亚马成为联盟历史上第三位在圣诞大战中砍下40分和15个篮板的球员，比肩威尔特·张伯伦（1959年、1961年）和尼古拉·约基奇（2022年）。
只有张伯伦（1959年45分）和特雷西·麦克格雷迪(Tracy McGrady)（2000年43分）在圣诞首秀的得分比文班更高。文班亚马也打破了马刺队圣诞大战的得分纪录，超越了拉马库斯·阿尔德里奇(LaMarcus Aldridge)在2016年创下的33分，那是马刺队在周三比赛之前最后一次在圣诞节出战。
但文班亚马并不关心他的个人数据成就或他在联盟历史上的地位，因为马刺队最终失利，这位20岁的法国小伙子没能享受到一个真正快乐的圣诞节。
“我现在在想这场比赛，”他停顿了许久，盯着技术统计表看了几秒钟后说道。“我只是在想，我们很接近，但有时我们缺少一些特质。”
文班亚马31投16中，其中三分球16投6中；而布里奇斯25投17中，三分球9投6中，帮助纽约尼克斯队取得五连胜，战绩提升至20胜10负。
“我们对他有这样的期望，”马刺队控球后卫克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)谈到文班亚马时说道。“我们每天都看到他，所以对此并不感到惊讶。”
琼斯说：“他是一个大场面球员，他绝对已经准备好迎接这些时刻。”
和琼斯一样，马刺队代理主教练米奇·约翰逊(Mitch Johnson)也期待这位7尺3寸的中锋能有令人印象深刻的表现。
“他拥抱这些重要时刻，”约翰逊说道。“当那些真正优秀的球员做好准备并拥有正确的心态时，通常你会看到他们在关键时刻比其他人更出色，他就是这样。”
马刺队在周一于费城惜败于76人队后遭遇两连败，战绩下滑至15胜15负。
近几个赛季以来，马刺队在客场惜败的比赛都被认为情有可原，但现在不再是这样了。至少这是克里斯·保罗在赛后媒体采访中向队友传达的信息。
2024年12月25日，周三，在纽约举行的NBA篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队的维克托·文班亚马（右二）试图从纽约尼克斯队防守球员手中抢下篮板球。（美联社照片/Seth Wenig）
“对我们来说，下一步是赢得这些比赛，”保罗说道。“我们必须达到‘年轻球员’的借口不再适用的程度。我们和其他人一样都是职业球员，在这个联盟中，你必须拥有一种毅力和意志力，才能找到赢得这些比赛的方法，尤其是在客场，只有我们自己为我们加油的时候。”
“这次客场之旅我们还有两场比赛（周五对阵布鲁克林，周日对阵明尼苏达），我们必须确保以适当的敬畏之心对待它们。”
琼斯送出了赛季最高的9次助攻，这也是新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)在第四节没有上场的重要原因，他同意保罗的观点。
“就像克里斯说的，我们年轻的时间只有这么长，那些东西必须被抛诸脑后，”琼斯说道。“是时候赢球了。”
杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)为马刺队贡献了21分和9个篮板。保罗贡献了13分和7次助攻。
文班亚马的篮板球数距离大卫·罗宾逊(David Robinson)的马刺队圣诞大战篮板球纪录（1999年的19个）仅一步之遥，而马刺队本可以利用更多的篮板球，尤其是在最后30秒，约什·哈特(Josh Hart)抢到两个关键篮板，使纽约队得以耗尽比赛时间。
“在比赛的关键时刻有几个回合，”约翰逊说道。“要称赞他们。他们投进了一些关键球。这是一场让球员们感到难受的比赛，因为他们拼尽了全力，也要称赞纽约队完成了比赛。”
布里奇斯在43分钟的比赛中表现出色。
“他打了一场精彩的比赛，投进了一些高难度投篮，”约翰逊说道。“肯定有一些事情我本可以尝试去做，把球从他手中拿走。当你还有贾伦·布伦森(Jalen Brunson)在场上时，这很困难。”
卡尔-安东尼·唐斯为尼克斯队贡献了21分。布伦森得到12分，哈特得到12分和12个篮板，其中包括纽约队17个进攻篮板中的5个。尼克斯队还利用马刺队的15次失误得到了21分。
“17个进攻篮板球对我们造成了很大的伤害，还有几次失误，”约翰逊说道。“也许你可以接受一些高难度投篮，但当你把所有这些因素加在一起，这就是一场关于球权的比赛。他们比我们多投了17次。他们是一支很难战胜的球队，而且他们比你多投了17次。”
琼斯说道：“在最后时刻，我们必须想办法拿到那些五五开的球。这就是你赢得篮球比赛的方式，尤其是在客场，在一个艰难的环境中，面对一支身体对抗强硬的球队……当比赛进入关键时刻时，我们必须赢得那些五五开的球。”
文班亚马对此表示赞同。
“我认为这不是一场关于势头的比赛。我认为这是一场关于‘斗犬精神’的比赛，”他说道。“当比赛时间还剩不到五分钟时，我们让他们抢到了一些篮板球。我们让他们对我们施加了太多的压力……他们没有因为打得比我们好而赢球。根本没有。”
美联社和ESPN对本报道有贡献。
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1), top right, commits goaltending on a shot put up by New York Knicks’ Josh Hart (3), top left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges, left, and fans react after Bridges hit a three point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns react after hitting a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Josh Hart (3), left, and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama fight for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Josh Hart, center, puts up a shot between San Antonio Spurs’ Chris Paul (3), left, and Victor Wembanyama during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Castle, top, reacts after dunking the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, right, and Devin Vassell react during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan throws the ball back in-bounds as he falls into the New York Knicks bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan, bottom, looks to pass from the floor during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Castle, right, drives to the basket past New York Knicks’ Miles McBride during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges, center, puts up a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Josh Hart, right, grabs an offensive rebound during the final moments of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Josh Hart, right, reacts as he fouls San Antonio Spurs’ Chris Paul during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, left, and New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns fight for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Josh Hart, right, tries to grab the ball from San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges reacts after hitting a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Mikal Bridges’ New York Knicks teammates react after he falls in front of them during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, second from right, puts up a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges (25), left, drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. The Knicks defeated the Spurs 117-114. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Precious Achiuwa #5 shakes hands with OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks after defeating the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks react against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks battle for a rebound during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs falls into the New York Knicks bench during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball as Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs defends at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Vinicius Junior attends the game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Interim head coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: The Knicks City Dancers perform against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
点击查看原文：Wemby makes memorable Christmas debut but Knicks, Bridges prevail
Wemby makes memorable Christmas debut but Knicks, Bridges prevail
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs battle for a rebound during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK – Tre Jones knew Victor Wembanyama was going to have a big game.
“We could see the fire in his eyes, the way he carried himself,” Jones said.
In a monster Christmas Day debut, Wembanyama produced 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 40 minutes.
It still wasn’t enough as Mikal Bridges pumped in a season-high 41 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 117-114 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday in a game that featured 20 leads changes and 12 ties.
Wembanyama became just the third player in league history with 40 points and 15 rebounds on Christmas Day, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1959, 1961) and Nikola Jokic (2022).
Only Chamberlain (45 in '59) and Tracy McGrady (43 in 2000) had more points in a Christmas debut. Wembanyama also set a franchise record for Christmas Day points, surpassing the 33 that LaMarcus Aldridge had in 2016, the last time the Spurs played on the holiday before Wednesday.
But Wembanyama wasn’t concerned about his statistical accomplishments or his place in league history after the Spurs came up short, preventing the 20-year-old Frenchman from enjoying a truly Joyeux Noël.
“I’m thinking about the game right now,” he said after a long pause and several seconds studying the box score. “Just thinking, we’re close, but we lack some attributes at times.”
Wembanyama shot 16 for 31 from the field, including 6 for 16 from 3-point range, but Bridges hit 17 for 25, including 6 for 9 from beyond the arc to push New York to its fifth win in a row to improve to 20-10.
“We expect that from him,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said of Wembanyama. “Us that see him day in and day out, we’re not surprised by that."
Said Jones, “He’s a big time player and he’s definitely ready for these moments.”
Like Jones, acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was expecting an impressive performance from the 7-foot-3 center.
“He embraces the moment,” Johnson said. “When there are really good players who put in the preparation and have the right mindset, typically you see them thrive in big moments more than not and he’s like that.”
The Spurs fell to 15-15 with their second loss in a row after dropping a tight one against the 76ers on Monday in Philadelphia.
For a couple of seasons now, the Spurs have gotten a pass for losing close games on the road, but not anymore. At least that’s the message Chris Paul delivered to his teammates at his post-game media session.
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, second from right, tries to grab a rebound over New York Knicks defenders during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
“For us, the next step is winning those games,” Paul said. "We got to get to that point where all that ‘young guy stuff’ got to go out the window. We pros just like everybody else and there’s a grit and a will that you got to have in this league in order to figure out ways to win those games, especially on the road when we are the only ones that’s cheering for us.
“We got two games left on this trip (at Brooklyn on Friday and at Minnesota on Sunday) and we got to make sure we approach them with the proper fear.”
Jones, who had a season-high nine assists, which was a big reason why rookie Stephon Castle didn’t play in the fourth quarter, agreed with Paul.
“Like Chris said, we’re only young for so long and that stuff has got to go out the window,” Jones said. “It’s time to win ball games.”
Jeremy Sochan finished with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs. Paul contributed 13 points and seven assists.
Wembanyama fell just short of David Robinson’s franchise record for rebounds on Christmas (19 in 1999), and the Spurs could have used some more, especially in the final 30 seconds when Josh Hart got two big ones that enabled New York to run out the clock.
“There were a couple of possessions there in the balance,” Johnson said. “Give them credit. They made some shots. It’s one of those games that just feel bad for the guys because they fought their butts off, and give credit to New York for finishing out.”
And for 43 minutes, Bridges was terrific.
“He had a heck of a game, hit some tough shots,” Johnson said. “Definitely some things I probably could have done to try to get the ball out of his hands. It’s tough when you got Jalen Brunson over there.”
Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 for the Knicks. Brunson had 12 and Hart finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, including five of New York’s 17 offensive boards. The Knicks also scored 21 points off the Spurs’ 15 turnovers.
“The 17 offensive rebounds hurt us, a couple of turnovers,” Johnson said. “Maybe you live with some of those tough shots, but when you compound all those things and it’s a possession game. They get 17 more shots than us. It’s a tough team to beat and then they get 17 more shots than you.”
Said Jones, “Down the stretch, we got to figure out a way to come up with those 50-50 balls. That’s how you win a basketball game, especially on the road in a tough environment against a physical team. … We got to win those 50 50 balls when the game is on the line.”
Wembanyama agreed.
“I don’t think it was a game about momentum. I think it was a game about being dogs,” he said. “When the clock starts going down under five minutes, we let them get some rebounds on us. We let them move us a little too much. … They didn’t win against us because they played better basketball. Not at all.”
The Associated Press and ESPN contributed to this story.
By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News